A video of the meeting in its entirety can be viewed below this article.
Valarie Cobb, director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, reviewed upcoming events and preparations. “We have the ribbon cutting for Farmers Bank, for the new updated bank,” she said of the event that will take place Tuesday April 28th starting at 9:30 a.m. and going until 11:00 a.m., then noted that tables at the Thursday, April 30th chamber banquet, which starts at 5:30 p.m. have sold out. But for those able to come, “We have 80-plus items for live and silent auctions.”
Cobb also discussed the chamber’s involvement in downtown revitalization and cleanup efforts, saying, “the Great American Cleanup is happening now, and it’s over in May. … We waited too late to do that.” On the other hand, she said, “there's a Great Arkansas Cleanup from September to October. And so we are going to do that.”
Jessica Box-Marshall announced a free community health fair set for April 25th, with activities each day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ward Chapel AME Church on 323 Laurel, and asked that flyers be left for senior citizens at the center so they would know about the event. Available at the event will be health screenings, including blood glucose measurement, blood pressure readings, weight and body mass index measurement and free Hep C and HIV testing.
Prescott Police Chief Ann Jordan gave a brief update to the council, saying, “they are installed,” referring to the new police radio system that allows for better coordination with surrounding first-response agencies.
Immediately following her report, council member Patricia Roberts relayed a resident’s question about police staffing and vehicle use: “Does the city police department have someone that lives out of town that works as a police officer for Prescott? Does he use his own car? Or does he use a city car to travel back and forth?” Mayor Oliver said many officers do use police vehicles to travel from homes outside of Prescott into the city and that it was a factor that helped the city police stay near fully staffed in a competitive labor market where it concerns police hiring.
Council members voted to renew a telecommunications franchise ordinance. Mayor Oliver said of the Bright Speed contract, “There's no changes to it. It's six pages,” and council recorder John Miller read the ordinance by title only into the record: “An ordinance granting a franchise to Brightspeed of Arkansas Incorporated on behalf of itself and its operating affiliates, Brightspeed to operate and maintain a telecommunication system in the city of Prescott, Arkansas.” A motion and second were recorded and the council proceeded with the vote, which unanimously approved the ordinance.
Council members also addressed infrastructure concerns raised by residents. One council member reported a drainage problem at 817 Wilson Street. The council member agreed to follow up with water and sewer staff.
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded after a half-hour meeting.